Chapter twenty-four #2
“Nothing! He asked me the other day why I kept hitting your butt. I told him I wanted to play naughty with you,” Silas rushes out. “I didn’t think he would repeat that!”
“He repeats everything! Next thing you know, he’ll be smacking Gracie on the butt and saying he wants to play naughty with her!” Cecilia hisses at him.
“Hey! Keep your boy away from my daughter!” Greyson points a finger at Silas.
“Word to the wise, don’t tell your kids anything,” Cecilia says to us as she shakes her head in exasperation. “Unbelievable, this man.”
Twenty minutes later, after I’ve downed all three of my sundaes and six brownies—yes, I’ve become a pig—I make my way to the entertainment room where Shane is currently still playing hockey with Dante to tell them lunch is ready.
When I arrive at the room, I stop at the entrance and watch from the open door. Shane has used couch cushions to make up a hockey goal at one end of the room, and is currently hunched over Dante, showing him how to properly hold his stick.
He then demonstrates a few moves and watches as Dante replicates them, correcting him when his stance isn’t good or when he’s doing the move wrong.
Most toddlers would probably get annoyed being told they’re doing something wrong, but not Dante.
He stands proudly and listens attentively to every word leaving Shane’s mouth.
Dante does the same move over and over again, until finally he gets it right and exclaims with joy as Shane cheers him on.
That little boy has determination, and it shows.
“He takes so much after his father,” Cecilia whispers at my side while watching her son.
“He’s determined and resilient and so motivated.
He started getting up early in the morning to work out with Sy.
Jesus, he’s only two and a half, and he’s already self-disciplining himself.
He refuses to eat anything that isn’t healthy for him, he’ll work himself to the bone until he’s sore and sweaty. ”
She smiles at me before returning her focus to Dante, her voice holding so much pride toward her son.
“Every night, instead of watching cartoons like most kids would, he watches hockey clips with Silas. And when the boys have games, he makes me record them so that he can watch them in the morning while eating breakfast. Hell, he even catches on when a player makes a wrong step and gets all excited that he spotted it.”
She wipes at her eye as she gets emotional talking about him. “He’s going to be a great hockey player one day, maybe even greater than his father.”
“I have no doubt about that,” I tell her as she smiles and walks into the room.
“Come on, baby. Time to eat and then we’re going swimming after.” She brushes his chestnut curls out of his face. “And I give you permission to push Daddy in the water.”
“Yay!” Dante bounces and races out of the room as she follows behind.
Shane picks up the mess in the room as I walk over to him.
When he’s done, he wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my forehead.
“That boy is going to go places. He’s so talented for his age, it’s impressive.
I can’t wait to see how he turns out. There’s no way we won’t be seeing his name on the big screen someday. ”
“And you’ll be able to say you were his very first coach.” I grin up at him.
“Well, I wouldn’t say I was his coach.” He chuckles as a tiny shade of pink settles over his cheek bones.
I cup his cheek. “Don’t downplay what you just did with him, Shane. That little moment you two had, he’ll remember that forever, and I know it won’t be the last.” I pull him down to me and capture his lips. “Now come, it’s time to eat.”
“We just had ice cream.”
“And I’m still hungry.” I bite my lip, blushing as I pull him toward the door by the hand.
An hour later, we’re all by the poolside, getting ready to head in the water.
My brother’s twins are sleeping in the shade to the side where we can see them.
Emma and Ronnie are sun tanning on lounge chairs, while Greyson, Noah, and Gabe are tossing around Gracie in the water as she squeals with joy.
Silas and Cecilia are also in the water with Dante, trying to teach him how to swim, as well as Clay and Morgan, who are holding their twins and dipping them slowly in the water. They’re almost five months already and growing so quickly.
I chew on my thumbnail as I watch everyone in their bathing suits having fun. I’ve always felt a bit self-conscious when showing my body, aside from with Shane, but with all these new changes as I make room for my daughter, it’s hitting a little harder.
I know they’ve all been through it, so I know they won’t judge me, but I’m not used to showing myself off like this, certainly not in a bikini. But none of my one-piece swimsuits fit me anymore, so I didn’t have a choice to wear this skimpy number.